Dolphins' Shaq Barrett Retires from NFL; Won Super Bowls with Bucs, Broncos

Linebacker Shaq Barrett, a two-time Super Bowl champion who led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019, has announced his retirement.

Following Barrett's announcement, the Bucs congratulated him on a great career, calling him an "all-time Buccaneer."

Barrett enjoyed a 10-year career with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who released the two-time Pro Bowler on March 13. Five days later, Barrett signed a new deal with the Miami Dolphins.

However, Barrett has decided to spend his full focus on his wife and children, ending one of the better careers for an undrafted player in NFL history.

Barrett starred at Colorado State and earned Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013 after amassing 12 sacks. However, he didn't get drafted, instead landing with the Broncos as a UDFA.

Barrett started on the practice squad but got a midseason promotion to the 53-man roster in 2014. He did not see any playing time, but that changed in 2015 when he had 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Super Bowl champions.

For the remainder of his Broncos career, Barrett was a rotational pass-rusher who never became a full-time starter. Tampa Bay saw potential in him, though, and signed the ex-CSU star to a one-year, $4 million contract.

Needless to say, this was a wise move for Tampa Bay. Barrett flourished with the Bucs, with 58 tackles and the NFL-high 19.5 sacks in 2019. He also forced six fumbles.

Tampa Bay kept Barrett on the franchise tag the next year before inking him to a four-year, $72 million extension in 2021.

Barrett starred for the Bucs in the 2020 playoffs with four sacks and nine tackles en route to the team's Super Bowl title. He ultimately finished his career with 400 tackles and 59 sacks.